"I’ve decided not to run for re-election to the Senate in 2026. This job has been the honor of a lifetime. For the rest of my term, I’ll work as hard as I can for Minnesotans and our country. Thank you so much, Minnesota."
That's Minnesota's United States Senator Tina Smith, the Democrat who has served in Washington since being appointed to replace Al Franken in 2017 after allegations of sexual misconduct forced Franken to resign his seat.
Smith went on to win election to the senate in a 2018 special election, and was elected again in 2020, defeating Republican Jason Lewis. Smith says her decision to retire after next year is personal, not political, adding that she's fully committed to her final two years.
"I don't have to worry about running an election, a re-election campaign," Smith said in a social media post Thursday. "I can focus entirely on this job right now. And second, we have a deep bench of political talent in Minnesota, a group of leaders that are more than ready to pick up the work and carry us forward."
Before her time in the Senate, Smith served as lieutenant governor under Governor Mark Dayton. It was Dayton who appointed her to replace Franken.
"I have two, nearly two full years left in my Senate term, and I plan to use every single day working as hard as I can to represent your interests in the United States Senate and make sure that your voices are heard," Smith continues.
Potential candidates for Tina Smith's U.S. Senate seat have been quick to surface in the wake of her announcement earlier today that she will not be seeking re-election.
While Smith her decision is not motivated by politics, KSTP-TV political reporter and WCCO Radio host Tom Hauser says polling may show otherwise.
"Tina Smith has a problem in that her number of people who have no opinion of her is alarmingly large for someone who's been in office since 2018," he says.
The decision not to run sets up a rare open race for a U.S. Senate seat in Minnesota. Minnesota's other Senator Amy Klobuchar (D) has been in office since winning her race in 2006 and replacing Dayton.
The last time there was a fully open race was in 2002 after the tragic death of Paul Wellstone (D) who was killed in a plane crash. After independent Dean Barkley was appointed to finish Wellstone's term, former St. Paul Mayor Norm Coleman (R) was elected in a race against former Vice President Walter Mondale (D). Coleman then lost the seat to Franken in a close and contested race in 2008.
“It’s been a privilege to work with Senator Tina Smith," said Klobuchar in a statement. "I’m lucky enough to call her not only a colleague, but a true friend. Tina and I have been friends since long before our time together in the Senate. We have watched each other’s kids grow up and been there for each other through life’s ups and downs. As the only Senator to have worked at Planned Parenthood, Tina quickly became a leader in Washington in the fight to protect women’s rights. Tina also bravely shared her own story as part of her work to strengthen mental health services for all Americans. Her quiet but effective governing style earned her the title the velvet hammer. While Tina and I will continue to work together for the next two years, our friendship and her legacy will last a lifetime.”
There's already widespread speculation about who the Democrats in Minnesota will have run for the empty seat. Already, Minnesota Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan has announced her intention to run for the seat.
"I love Minnesota and my intention is to run for United States Senate and continue to serve the people of this state," she posted to social media Thursday. "I’ll make a formal announcement later this month. In the meantime, I’m talking with community and my family and friends. I will have more to say soon."
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has hinted that he's going to consider a third term but Politico is reporting that Walz has already expressed interest in running for U.S. Senate, and definitely has "not ruled it out."
Hauser telling WCCO's Chad Hartman he believes there's a better than 50-50 chance both Walz and Flanagan will run for Smith's seat. Hauser says things could get interesting if the governor ends up entering the race.
"Maybe it would be in his interest to run for the U.S. Senate and go back to Washington," Hauser said Thursday. "And I think I would almost assure you, Peggy Flanagan did not consult with him in those four seconds before she made this announcement. Because she wanted to get to the head of the line."
Hauser telling WCCO's Chad Hartman he wouldn't be surprised if other prominent politicians like 2nd District Congresswoman Angie Craig or even Franken also take a run at Smith's seat.
There is also former Third District Rep. Dean Phillips, who made a run against President Joe Biden in the Democratic Primaries last year, and decided not to run again for his seat in Congress. Phillips told WCCO's Chad Hartman last week he is looking at how to build a base with a third party in American politics and reiterated again Thursday he has no intention to run for Senate or governor.
"My calling is to build a national movement to challenge the monopoly of the duopoly, and restore common sense, competency, and cooperation. Stay tuned," Phillips says on social media.